It’s 2-0 headed back to Cleveland where the Cavaliers need something to go right for themselves. LeBron James is doing everything he can but it hasn’t been enough with his teammates providing barely any production. Stephen Curry was the focal point in Game 2 and Cleveland is going to need to slow him down if they’re going to have any shot in this one.

Players to Watch

Golden State

Stephen Curry - Curry has now scored 27-plus points in four straight games but as I noted in the last NBA WinView playbook, Curry hasn’t scored more than 27 on the road all postseason long. He hit nine three’s last game and has made at least five in six of his last seven contests. He’s also been contributing in other categories as well grabbing at least five rebounds and dishing out six assists in four straight games.

Kevin Durant - Durant is being a difference make on both ends of the court. Yeah he’s scored 26 points in back-to-back games, but he’s grabbed nine rebounds in both as well, dishing out at least six assists and coming up with two-plus blocks. He’s essentially stuffing the box score like Draymond Green does but is scoring way more.

Draymond Green - Speaking of Draymond Green , Green’s had eight or more rebounds in seven straight games and has five or more assists in eight of his last nine. He only took four shots last game and the Warriors won by 19, so don’t expect him to start chucking all of a sudden, especially if they keep winning without him scoring.

Klay Thompson - Even with a sprained ankle, Thompson went out in Game 2 and poured in 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Thompson is in a GROOVE shooting north of 50-percent in five straight games which is a fantastic feat for a player who shoots a lot of three’s and barely puts the ball on the deck. He has at least three three’s in five straight contests.

Cleveland

LeBron James - James was one rebound away from another triple-double, but weirdly enough he only took 20 shots in Game 2. He needs to get back to where he was in Game 1 taking 32 if Cleveland is going to have a shot. James has a double-double in seven of his last 10 playoff games.

Kevin Love - Love has stepped up this series scoring 20-plus points in both of the first two games of the series. He’s also grabbed at least 10 boards in both games as well. He’s shot poorly from three-point range however, going 4-for-16 in the first two games. Maybe he should look to get to the FT line more frequently as he’s 7-for-7 this series.

George Hill - For once this postseason, James had some help and it came from George Hill in this one. Obviously it wasn’t enough because Cleveland still lost, but the 15 points Hill poured in was the second best output he has had this postseason. The last two times he was aggressive and took double-digit shot attempts he scored 15 and 20 points respectively. The Cavs need more of that.

Tristan Thompson - Thompson didn’t do anything but rebound and score, but he was effective in doing so. He played just 23 minutes but scored 11 points and grabbed five boards. If he sees an uptick in time, we could be looking at a double-double.

Pregame Props

1. The last made shot of the 1st quarter is a 2-pointer?

So in both of the first two games, the last made shot was a two-pointer. The thing is, the last shot taken in both games were three-pointers by the Warriors. We know how good they can shoot the three ball and if they have it at the end of the quarter here, I’m going to say they won’t miss a third time. I’m going NO here.

2. Which teams wins the opening tipoff?

As long as JaVale McGee stays in the starting lineup the Warriors will win the tip. I’m 50/50 on Durant winning the tip if McGee is coming off of the bench. I’m going to assume McGee starts and say Warriors here.

They need to set the table, and I’d say James is more likely to do so. James has scored 10 or more in both fo the first two games quarters, and down two games heading to his home court, no way he doesn’t do it for a third straight game.

4. Each team scores 28 or more points in the 1st quarter?

Vegas has set the total at 216.5 for tonight’s game.That means, broken down, the team’s are projected to score around 54 points per quarter. By that calculation, both teams will not score 28 in the first. Vegas is smart and I believe them.

5. Either team makes a 3 pointer by the 11:00 mark?

I think the Warriors are coming out to send a message and they’re going to knock down a whole bunch of three-pointers early on. I think they hit one within their first two possessions, maybe both quite honestly.

I think the first made FG of the game comes from the Warriors side once they win the tip. It could be Thompson, but it feels like a Kevin Durant game. Curry’s been better at home, Draymond’s not scoring and Durant has been HUGE in the past on the road in playoff games. Thompson isn’t much of a passer either. I’m going NO here.